Trial opening in beating, burning of child, 3

Trial opens for man charged with beating, burning child; he and girlfriend went to theme park

BRENTWOOD, N.H. (AP) — Opening statements are expected to begin in a New Hampshire courtroom for a man accused of severely beating and burning the 3-year-old son of his girlfriend.

Roland Dow pleaded not guilty to multiple assault charges in 2012. The 28-year-old Dow and the boy's mother were arrested at the Universal Studios theme park in Florida two weeks after the boy was hospitalized with a brain injury and burns to his wrist and fingers.

Jessica Linscott of Plaistow pleaded guilty last year to witness tampering and endangering her son's welfare and was sentenced to at least 2 ½ years in prison. She is expected to testify against Dow.

Police said Dow and Linscott told them the boy's injuries were self-inflicted.

A jury was seated Monday and opening statements are scheduled for Tuesday.